how does ibuprofen increase stroke risk if it thins the blood?
In: Biology
This is complicated: drugs like ibuprofen have many effects, and some of these effects may reduce blood clotting, and some of the effects may increase blood clotting.
Specifically, NSAIDs like ibuprofen inhibit (among many, many other effects) two enzymes: cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. (COX-1 and COX-2). I don’t want to get too specific in ELI5, but high-level COX-1inhibiton reduces blood clotting, and COX-2 inhibition increase blood clotting. The balance between these two things will determine whether a particular NSAID will increase or decrease the risk of clotting events (stroke, heart attack, blood clots in the legs or chest).
Aspirin decreases these risks overall, whereas most other NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, and so forth) increase these risks.
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